Best Paying Summer Jobs for College Students

With summer coming a college student’s thoughts typically turn to MONEY! When you’re a poor, starving student for nine months out of the school year the heat of summer is synonymous with cold, hard cash. But the big question is what do you do with your summer to make sure you get the biggest bang for your buck?

The answer lies within your skill set and interests. The most lucrative summer jobs for college students are those that actually require some specific knowledge. And since you’re going to school to gain that knowledge, put it to good use when you look for your summer job. In other words, instead of being satisfied with a minimum wage job at your local burger joint, use the expertise you’ve gained by going to college to help you find a summer job. Here are five examples of summer jobs that cater to popular college majors (and thus, typically offer more than minimum wage).

Computer Specialist

If you’re majoring in any industry that utilizes computer technology then you’re chances of getting a summer job as some sort of computer technician are good. This includes working in a computer repair shop, a web-design business, and even a computer retail store. Plus, many industries such as insurance, health care, banking, aerospace, and government have their own in-house IT-departments that hire summer technical support staff. So when you look for a summer job don’t limit your search to just the computer industry. Think of other business that rely heavily computers and then lobby them as well. Pay range: $10 – $15 per hour.

Bank Teller

If your major is business or finance the best summer job you can get is bank teller. Approximately one out of four bank tellers are part time and that number goes up in the summer. Working for a bank is a definite resume booster because it shows that your can be trusted with monetary responsibilities. Plus, you can’t beat the hours; eight to five with your weekends and evenings free. Pay range: $12 – $15 per hour.

Theme Park Character

For you theatre and acting majors, nothing beats working as a character in a theme park. For example, Disneyland was the original stomping grounds for Kevin Costner, Robin Williams, and Steve Martin (to name just a few). If you have a particular skill, such as dancing, singing, playing an instrument, juggling, performing magic, or even the ability to walk on stilts, then theme parks are looking for you for summer work. And they’re willing to pay more for your talent than if you just sold popcorn or helped kiddies onto rides. Pay range: $10 – $20 per hour.

Lifeguard/EMT at Water Parks

For the medical field you can always look to the health care industry for summer work. However, your options there will most likely be administrative assistant, which is not a bad (hey, at least it’s a job). But your chances of earning more are higher if you work at as a lifeguard at the beach, a resort, or as a lifeguard/EMT at a water park. Yes, this requires you get your Red Cross certification (at the minimum) but the little bit of money and time that you invest in this training pays off big time when you go to apply for summer jobs. Pay range: $12 – $18 per hour.

Bartender/Waiter

And finally, if all else fails, there is always the old standby of waiting tables or bartending (which is an option no matter what your major is). Yes, the hours are long and inconvenient (mostly in the evenings and on weekends) and you’re on your feet the whole time, but the tips can more than make up for the inconveniences. By law restaurants and bars have to pay you minimum wage, so you never have to work for tips alone. And you may end up with free meals, which helps offset your summer food bill. Pay range: Minimum wage – $20 per hour, depending on tips.

There are only so many hours in the summer to earn extra cash to hold you over for the entire school year. Make the most of those hours by using your college major before you graduate. You’ll not only earn more money, but you’ll get a little taste of what it’s like to work in your industry (while you still have time to switch majors).